Race-game apparatus



R. M. BRENNER.

RACE GAME APPARATUS.

I APPLCATION FILED DEC=10. |919- 'l go, Patented June 22, 1920A` 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

By M

Arm/Mfrs R. M. BRENNER.

RACE GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 050.10, I9I9.

1,344,480. Patented June 22, 1920.

96 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. af 'n Il @IM /J R. NI. BRENNER.

RACE GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.I0, I9I9.

man@ m@mn A TRNEYS 4`the racing objects the UNITED fSTATES PATENT oFFlcB.

RICHARD M. BRENNR, 0F PALISADE, NEW JERSEY.

RACE-GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known thatI, RICHARD. M. BRENNER, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Palisade, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Race-Game Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. y

The invention relates to race game apparatus, such as shown and described vin the Letters Patent of the United States, No. 1,011,563, granted to me on December 12, '1911, and No. 1,203,474, granted to me on October 31, 1916.

The object of the present invention iis .to

yprovide certain new and useful improveyments 1n race game apparatus of the type referred to whereby each actuating device controlled by a player is rendered inoperative as soon asy the racing object, such as a figure representing a horse, for instance, reaches the goal.

Another object is to insure winning of race by the racing object controlled by a player exercising the most skill and not depending on the speed with which the actuating device is set in motion by the player.

Another object is to automatically announce the winners in the sequence in which reach the goal.

Another object is to permit the attendant to quickly return the racing objects to starting position.

Another object is to enable the onlookers to readily watch the race,J and to prevent non-players tables.

With these and other objects inUview, theinvention consists of certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out* from actuating* the racing y in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the race game apparatus; y

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a Vtion of the goal end of portion of the device for returning the racing objects to starting position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the racegame apparatus on the line 4`4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional game apparatus;

ig. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the same on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1; j

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional side elevathe race game apparatus with a racing object on the goal and closing an electric circuit; and

Fig. 8 is an inverted sectional plan view of the coupling of one of the mechanical connections of the actuating means manipulated by the player for imparting a forward and backward motion to a corresponding racing table, the section being on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

On a suitable framelO is mounted a supporter stand 11, preferably in the form of a box having an open top l2 provided with longitudinally extending partitions 13 arranged in step form and dividing the open top into spaces 14 in which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally extending narrow racing tables 15 over which are adapted to travel racing objects 16, such as gures representing horses and jockeys or the like, as plainly indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7.

he racing tables 15 are disposed in step form in the spaces 14 adjacent the upper ends of the partitions 13 with the lowermost racing table 15 at the front of the support plan view of the race 11 and with the uppermost racing 'table ad-l jacent the rear end, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 6. By the arrangement described, the racing objects 16 of the several racing tables 15 can be readily viewed from the front by the players and the onlookers.. The racing objects 16 start simultaneously/from the rear ends of the racing tables 15 (see Fig. 1) and finish at the forward ends of the said tables, as indicated in Fig. 2. The several tables the means for moving the same forward and backward are alike and it suffices to describe but one in detail. Each racing table 15 is supported on sets of parallel links 2O having ltheir upper pivots 21 (see Fig. 4

attached to the under side of the table 15, while the lower pivots 22 engage longitudi- Patented June 22, 1920.

15. and

nally extending slots 23 formed in the sides of the support or stand 11. The links 2O are Aadjusted so that they stand in an approximately vertical position at the time the table 15 is at the end of its forward stroke, while the links 20 swing downward and rearward during the return stroke of the table 15, so thaton the forward stroke the table 15 moves forward and upward and during the return stroke moves downward' and rearward. The racing objects 16 are so adjusted in weight that during the forward and upward stroke of the tables 15 they remain stationary on their tables while .during the downward and rearward stroke the racing objects 16 move forward from the starting end toward the finishing end or goal.

The speed at which the tablesv 15 move forward and backward is controlled by a hence the racing table comes to a standstill thus preventing the forward movement of the racing object.

In order to accomplish the desired result,

the under side of each racing table 15 is pro- 'l vided near its forward end with a depend ing bracket 30 (see Fig. 4) connected by al spring 31 with atension adjusting device 32 mounted on the forward end of the support 11. By the arrangement described the spring' 31 exerts a forward pull on the racing table 15 and the tension of the spring can be adjusted by the adjusting device 32. The bracket 30 is connected by a pitman 35 with a wrist pin 36 held on a bevel gear wheel 37, the shaft 38 of which is journaled in aA suitable bearing 39 (see Fig. 5) attached to v the support 11. The bevel gear wheel 37 is in mesh witha pinion 40 secured on the forward end of a shaft 41 journaled in suitable bearings 42 attached to the support 11, and the rear end of this shaft 41 is provided with a pinion 43 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 44 secured at the inner end of a shaft 45 journaled in suitable bearings arranged in the partitions 13. The forward ends of the shafts 45 extend into a separate chamber 46 arranged at the front of the support 11 (see Fig. 6), and the forward end of each shaft 45 is providedA with a bevel gear wheel 47 in mesh with a pinion 48 secured -on the upperend Lof a vertical shaft 49 journaled in suitable bearings 50 and 51, of

which the bearing 50 is attached to the front wall of the chamber 46 while the bearing 51 is arranged on a platform 52 located near floor or foundation on which the frame 10 is mounted, the platform 52 being in front of the said frame and in the rear of a stand or support 53 carrying a players table 54 spaced from the frame l0 and the support 11 thereby providing a gangway 55 for the accommodation of the attendant. The several shafts 49 are hidden from the view of the players and passengers in front of the players. table 54 by an apron 56 depending from the front of the frame 10, as indicated in Fig. 6. y

On the lower end of each shaft 49 is secured a pinion 60 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 61 secured on the rear end of a transverse l shaft 62 journaled in suitable bearings 63 carried by the platform 52. The forward end of the shaft 62 is provided with a bevel gear wheel 64 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 65 secured on the lower end of a shaft 66 journaled in suitable bearings 67 attached to'the stand or support 53 vv(see Fig.

The upper end of the shaft 66 is provided with a coupling member 70 in the form of a bar adapted to be engaged by lugs 71 forming part of a movable coupling member 72 in the form of a disk (see Figs. 7 and 8). The coupling member 72 is mounted to slide up and down on a shaft 73, which forms a disconnected'section of the shaft' 66, and this shaft 73 is-journaled in suitable bearings 74, 75 mounted on the players-table 54.A The upper end of the shaft 73 is prolvided with a crank disk 76 under the control of a player to enable the latter to turn the shaft 73 and with itthe shaft 66 as long as the lugs 71 are in coupling engagement with the bar 7 O. rlhe rotary motion of the shaft 66 is transmitted by the gearing described to the gear wheel 37 to cause the pitman 35 to impart la forward and backward travelingmotion to the table 15. The several crank disks 76 are arranged fone alongside the other at the top of the players table 54 and are preferably marked with consecutive numerals or similar indicating characters, as plainly shown in Fig. 1, to distinguish the several race tracks formed by the racing tables 15. The coupling member 72 forms a part of a centrifugal governor' 80 provided with a collar 81 secured to the shaft 73. and weighted arms 82 pivotedl on the collar 81 and connected by links 83 with a flange 34 attached or formed on the upper end of the hub 35 of the coupling membel It will be noticed that when the shaft 73 is rotated at a normall rate of speed', the coupling lug 7l remains in` engagement with the coupling member 70, and hence the shaft 66 is rotated on rotating the shaft 73. When the player rotates the crank disk '76 atan excessive rate of speed then thegovernor 80 lifts the coupling member 72 and hence the coupling lugs 71 move out of engagement Iwith the coupling member 70 and the shaft 66 is then uncoupled from the shaft 73 and comes to a standstill and with it the corresponding racing table 15. lVhen the player reduces thespeed of the crank disk 76 then the governor 80 returns the coupling member 72 and its lugs 71 to tion relative to the coupling member 70 and consequently the shaft 66 is again turned with the shaft 73. It will be noticed` that by the arrangement described the forward movement of a racing object 16 on its table 15 does not depend on the player rotating its crank disk 76 at an excessive speed but more on the skill of the player rotating the crank disk 76 at a uniform4 rate of speed to keep the shafts 73 and 66 in coupling engagement andn to properly actuate the racing tables 15'with a view vto cause the racing objects to advance intermittently at a maximum speed.

'Yhen a racing object 16 reaches the goal at the forward end of the corresponding racing table 15 then the coupling member 72 is automatically' disconnected from the coupling member 70 to stop the racing table and the racing object thereon. For the purpose mentioned, the following arrangement is made: The base 90 of'each racing object '16 is adapted to travel with its forward end onto the top of a spring contact 91 to depress th`e latter and move the same into engagement with a fixed contact 92 held on an insulation 93 arranged on the forward end of the racing table 15 (see Fig. 7). The contacts 91 and 92 are connected with circuit wires 94, 95 of an electric circuit connected with a battery or other suitable source of electrical energy 96. In the electric circuit is a solenoid 100 having its movable core 101 connected with one end of a shifting lever 102 engaging at its other end a shifting collar 103 forming part of the hub 85 of the coupling member 72. Non mally the spring contact 91 is out of engagement with the fixed contact 92,'but whenA the racing object 16 engages the spring contact 91 and presses the same downward into engagement with the fixed contact 92 then the electromagnet for the solenoid 100 is closed and hence the latter is energized and its core 101 moved downward to cause the shifting lever 102 to move the member 72 upward and its coupling lugs 71 out of engagement with the coupling member 70. Thus the shaft 66 comes to a standstill and with it the corresponding racing table 15 and its racing object 16 even should the player keep on turning the crank disk 76. Each of the electric circuits connects with an annunciator 110, of any approved coupling posi- ,coupling construction, which-indicates the number of the winner of the race, thenumber corfurther description of the same is not.

deemed necessary.

In order to permit the attendant of the race game apparatus to readily return the racing objectsv 16 from their forward posi-V tions, after the race is ended, to starting positions, shown in Fig-#1, the following arrangement is made: A bar 120 extends normally across the racing tables 15 at the front ends thereof and in the path of the racing objects 16 and slightly in front of a racing objectwhenit reaches the goal and has pressed the spring contact 91 into enf gagement with the fixed contact 92. The bar 120 is provided with depending rods 12.1 each attached to a carriage 122 mounted to travel on a longitudinally extending guideway 123 arranged onthe upper portion of the corresponding partition 13, as will bev readily understood by reference to Fig. 6. The outermost two carriages 122 are connected with cords or other flexible connections 124. extending over guide pulleys 125 journaled on the front end of the support 11, and the said flexible connections 123 wind and unwind on a spring roller 126 of usual construction and journaled on brack ets 127 attached to the support 11 (see Fig, 2). The upright rods 121 extend through slots 128 formed in cover plates 129 for the guideways 123, see Fig. 3. The rear carriages 122 are connected with cords or other flexible connections 130 extending rearwardly along in the guideways 123, and the rear ends of the flexible connections 130 Vpass through openings 131 formed in the rearI end of the top 12 of the support 11. The rear ends of the flexible connections 130 terminate in rings or other suitable handles 132 adapted to be taken hold of by the attendant to pull the flexible connections 130 rearward and thus draw the carriage 122 and consequently the crossbar 120 in a rearward direction. By this movement of the crossbar l120 the racing objects 16 are pushed rearwardly on their racing tables 15 until they reach starting position. During this rearward movement of the carriages 122, the flexible connections 124L unwind from the spring roller 126 and. the latter spring is placed under tension and hence when the operator releases the handles 132 after the racing objects 16 have reached starting position then the carriages 122 with the racing bar 120 return to forward position by the spring roller 126 winding up the flexible'connections 124. -It will be noticed that by the arrangement described the several racing objects can be quickly returned to starting position after the race is over.

In order to prevent non-players from ac,- tuating the racing tables 15 use is made of a bridging wire 150 spanning each of the wires 94 on opposite points of the contacts 91 and 92 (see Fig. 7) and in this bridging wire 150 is arranged a switch 151 normally open to allow of proper action of the racing game apparatus, as above described. After a race is run and prior to the beginning of the next race, thel attendant of the race game apparatus closes the several switches 151 and thus closes the circuits for the several electromagnets 100 whereby the corresponding governors 8O are moved into the position shownin `Fig. 7 and the coupling lugs 71 are moved out of engagement with the vcorresponding coup-ling member 70. Now in case a non-player turns any one of the crank disks 76, the corresponding. racing table is not actuated and hence the actuating mechanism for the corresponding racing table is not unduly subjected to wear.

Prior to the beginning of the next race, the

several switches 151 are moved into open position to allow the racing objects to close the -circuits, as above described.

It is understood that each racing tableuis adapted to be moved forward and back-- ward by an actuating mechanism made in two sections adapted to be) coupled together j by a coupling such as coupling members 70 and 71, and when the coupling member 71- .is out of engagement with the coupling i member 70 then the turning ofthe crank disk 76, which forms part of the first section, does not aect the second section of the actuating mechanism and the racing tables.

Having .thus described. my4 invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentz- 1. In an amusement apparatus, a plu.

rality of racing tables adapted to move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables to travel intermittently forward onimparting' motion to the said tables, and actuating means controlled'by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independent one of the. other, the said actuating means having disconnecting membersadapted to render the connections in.

operative on actuating the said actuating means at an excesslve speed.

trolled by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independently one of the other, and automatic controlling means, one at each table, and controlled by a corresponding racing object reaching the goal and connected with the corresponding connection to render the latter inoperative on the racingobj ect reaching the goal.

3. VIn an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables adapted to move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables to travel intermittently forward on imparting motionI to the said tables, actuating means controlled by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independently, one of the other, the said actuating 'means having'disconnecting members, and

corresponding racing object reaching the goal.

rality of racing tables adapted to move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables'to travel intermittently forward on imparting motion to the said tables, actuating means controlled by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independently one of the other, each mechanical connection having a shaft made in sections,

4. In an Iamusement apparatus, a plu-l of which oneis the driven one adapted to be turned by a player, a couplingv connecting the shaft sections with each other, and a governor on the said driven shaft and controlling the coupling to disconnect the shaft sections on turning the driven'shaft section at an excessive speed.

5. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables adapted to move un-v obstructedly forwardand backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables to travel 4intermittently forward on imparting motion to the said tables, actuating means conj l trolled by the players and having mechanif cal connections with the said racing tables c dependently one of the to move the latter forward-and backward inother, each mechanical connection having a shaft made in sections, ofwhich one is the driven one adapted to be turned by a player, a coupling `connecting the shaftsections with each other, and an electric device connected with one of the members of the coupling .to disconnect the coupling members, the said electric device having an electric circuit' provided with a switch normally open and located on the forward end ofthe track to be closed by the corresponding racing object reaching the forward end of the corresponding table.

6, In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables adapted t move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables to travel intermittently forward on imparting motion to y the said tables, actuating Ymeans controlled by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independently one of the other, each mechanical connection having a shaftmade in sections, of which one is the driven one,` adapted to be turned by a player, a coupling connecting the shaft sections with each other, an electric device connected with one vof the members of thecoupling to disconnect the couplingmembers, the said electricdevice having an electric circuit provided with a switch normally open and located on the forward end of the track to be closed by the corresponding racing object reaching the forward end of the corresponding table,

and an annunciator in the said circuit to indicate the arrival of the racing objects at the forward ends of the racing tables.

7. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables adapted to move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the racing tables to travel intermittently forward on imparting motion to the said tables, actuating means controlled by the players and having mechanical connections with the said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward independently one of the other, each mechanical connection having a shaft made in sections, of which one is the driven one,

adapted to be turned by a player, a coupling connecting the shaft sections with each other, an electromagnet connected with one of the members of the saidv coupling, an electric. circuit for the said electroma et and provided with a switch having Xed and movable contacts at the forward end of the corresponding racing table, the movable contact being in the path of the remaining table, actuatlng structedly forward and backward `and disposed in step form with the lowermost one at the front and the uppermost one at the rear, a players table in front of the said racing tables and spaced from the lowermost one thereof to form a gangway for an attendant between the racing tables and the players table, and actuating means controlled by the players located in lfront of the players table, the said actuating means having mechanical connections extending from said racing tables to move the latter forward and backward.

9. In an amusement apparatus, a racing table, actuating 'means for the said racing table and`controlled by a player, the said actuating means being made1 in sections coupled together, of the attendant of the apparatus to disconnect the said sections at will to allow a person to actuate one section without affecting the other section.

10. In an amusement apparatus, a racing table, actuating means for the said racing table and made in sections having coupling members to couple the sections together, one of the sections being adapted to be actuated by a playen or a non-player and the other section being connected with the racing table,l and means under the control of the attendant of the apparatus to disconnect the coupling members and thus allow a nonplayer to 'actuate the first section without affecting the other section. i

11. In an amusement apparatus, a racing means controlled by a player and having a mechanical connection with the racing table to move the latter forward and backward, the said mechanical connection being made in sections and provided with va coupling connecting the sections with each other, and means connected with the said coupling and under the control of.the attendant of disconnectthe said sectionsat will.

l2. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables yadapted to move unthe players table under the gangway to the and means under the control the apparatus to v i moving the said bar rearwardly to return the racing objects lfrom the front ends of the tables to the rear ends thereof.

13. In an amusement apparatus, a plurality of racing tables adapted to move unobstructedly forward and backward, racing objects, one for each table, and placed on the rear ends of the said racing tables to travel intermittently forward thereon lon imparting motion to the said tables, a crossbar extending across the racing tables and normally at the front ends of they racing tables in the path of the racing objects, a carriage supporting the said bar and mounted to travel lengthwise of ythe said racing tables, a spring roller, a flexible connection connecting the said carriage with the said roller, Iand a flexible connection connected with the carriage and extending to the rear of the racing tables to be actuated by an op` 20 erator. 

